Moose Safari

Maine moose facts, and how to spot a Moose, take a Moose safari...

The official Maine state animal is the Moose. Many folks come to Maine in search of the big moose and never find him or her – the male Bull Moose or the female moose cow. Well, maybe they aren’t looking in the right places at the right times. After all, the moose is the largest wild animal in North America, typically weighing 1,000 lbs, and Maine has the healthiest moose population (aside from Alaska) with an estimated 29,000. Moose are the largest of the deer family, and are often over 7 feet tall, and males (bulls) have antlers that can grow to 5-feet across and weigh 40 lbs.

The best way to find Moose in Maine is to go on a Moose Safari. Most moose spotting occur in the early morning and early evening just prior to sunset when moose are out roaming for food. Registered Maine guides lead the professional moose tours in the Rangeley, Kennebec, Katahdin and Moosehead regions to name a few. On your moose safari you might also spot deer, bear, eagles and osprey.

Moose and wildlife tours in Maine can be for a few hours with a Moose tour company, or an overnight moose camping trip, or an entire weekend at a moose safari lodge.

But be careful around moose if you find one (or two – since moose cows are often accompanied by their moose calves), moose car collision are a real concern since moose tend to wander into roads during dawn and dusk. Moose are reputed to have lousy eyesight, and are typically slow to move. But if harassed (or if its moose mating season), moose can run up to 35 mph and can be aggressive – and they can weigh a ton literally!

The Maine moose hunting season is limited and controlled by the Wildlife department, and permits are required with just over 3,000 moose permits issued each year (with a 75% success rate amongst permit holders).

Happy mooseing!